JP3218088B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of pages of a printed matter by a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer has a function of printing a plurality of copies by receiving print data only once by designating the number of copies from a host computer or an operation panel. However, when using such a function and printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of pages, the first
The pages are printed continuously for the set number of copies, the second page is printed continuously for the set number of copies, and thereafter, similarly, each page is continuously printed for the set number of copies until the last page. As a result, it is necessary to sort the printed paper so that the first to last pages are continuous as shown in FIG. 7 and the combination of each page is a set number of copies. In addition, a printer is provided with a sorter that has a plurality of trays and sorts printed paper for each page.

[0003]

However, there is a problem that a conventional printer to which a sorter is added becomes large in size by providing a plurality of trays. Further, there is a problem that even if a printer with a sorter is used, it is not possible to sort and print more copies than the provided tray.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. As shown in FIG. 7 , the first page 31 of the first copy is printed in order from the first page 31 to the last page 33, and then the second page is printed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a small printer capable of printing a plurality of copies sequentially from a first page 34 of a set to a last page 36 of the set and continuing to the last page 37 of the last set.

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, information on the number of copies is inputted.
Means for giving and receiving print copies, and printing data
Communication means for receiving data from
Storage means for storing data map data, all pages
Store bitmap data based on print data
A second storage unit, and a print data received by the communication unit.
Data to the first storage means.
First writing means for writing, and reception by the communication means
Bitmap data based on all pages of print data
Second writing means for writing data to the second storage means;
Printing means for printing on paper based on bitmap data
And bitmap data for all pages in the second storage means.
Before the data is completely written to the first storage means.
When a predetermined amount of bitmap data is written,
The bitmap data written in the first storage means is marked.
Transfer to the printing means, and print each page once in the page order.
First printing control means for causing a printing means to print, and the printing unit
When the number of copies information input to the number transfer means is multiple
The bit map of all pages stored in the second storage means is
Data to the printing unit in the page order, and
A second mark for causing the printing means to print the pages once in the page order
Printing control means, the first printing control means and the second printing control
The number of copies printed by the printing means by means
The second print control means so that the number of copies corresponds to the information.
Control means for controlling the step.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first aspect.
In the invention, a predetermined amount of bitmap data is stored in the first storage means.
The first print control means each time backup data is written
Is the bitmap data written in the first storage means.
When the data is transferred to the printing means and printed by the printing means,
The second writing means writes the data to the first storage means.
The stored predetermined amount of bitmap data is stored in the second storage device.
It is characterized by writing in a column .

[0007] In the invention of claim 3, according to claim 1 or
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined amount is one page.
It is characterized by that.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention having the above construction ,
Means that the number of copies is input to the
Means receives the print data from the host computer.
The printing received by the first writing unit by the communication unit
The first storage means for storing bitmap data based on data;
And the second writing means is operated by the communication means.
Bitmap based on print data for all received pages
Writing data to the second storage means.

In the second storage means, bitmaps for all pages are stored.
Before the writing of the data
That a predetermined amount of bitmap data has been written
The first print control means writes the data to the first storage means.
Transfer the bitmap data to the printing
Pages are printed once by the printing unit in the order of the pages.
The print copy information input to the print copy transfer means
Is a plurality of copies, the second print control means performs the second print control.
Bitmap data of all pages stored in memory
Page to the printing means, and print each page once.
In this order, the printing unit is caused to print. And the first mark
Printing means by printing control means and second printing control means
Is the number of copies corresponding to the number of copies information
As described above, the control unit controls the second print control unit,
The printing means is caused to print.

Further , in the invention according to claim 2, the first memory
Every time a predetermined amount of bitmap data is written to the means
The first print control means writes the information to the first storage means.
Transfer the inserted bitmap data to the printing
Printing means, and a predetermined amount of data is stored in the first storage means.
Each time bitmap data is written, the second write
Storing means for storing a predetermined amount of data written in the first storage means;
Writes bit map data before Symbol second storage means.

Further , in the invention according to claim 3, the predetermined amount is
Since it is one page, the first storage means stores one page.
Each time the bitmap data of the first mark is written,
A printing control means for controlling a bit written in said first storage means;
Transfer the map data to the printing means,
Print.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer of this embodiment.

This printer has a printer controller 11
, A printer engine 12 and a hard disk 13.

The printer controller 11 receives print data from a well-known CPU 14, a ROM 15, a RAM 16, a printer engine interface (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F) 17 for controlling the printer engine 12, and a host computer (not shown). Host I / F1
8 and a hard disk I / F 19 for controlling the hard disk 13.

The ROM 15 stores a host I
/ F18 to receive print data from the host computer, and to control the printer engine I / F 17 to execute printing by the printer engine 12.
0 is stored. It also stores font data 21 for printing characters.

The RAM 16 has a page memory 22 for storing bitmap data formed by the CPU 14 by developing print data received from the host I / F 18, a number of print copies 23 specified by the print data, a number of print pages 24,
The print page 25 is stored.

The print data received from the host computer by the host I / F 18 is PostScript.
This is a data string for describing a page similar to pt, and includes a drawing command, a print copy setting command, a page end command,
Classified as a data end command. The drawing command is a command representing a character or a figure, and is developed in the page memory 22 on the RAM 16 as bitmap data. The print copy number setting command is a command for designating the number of print copies, and includes an integer value having a value of 1 or more, and the value is stored in the print copy number 23 on the RAM 16. The page end command is a command indicating the end of one page of print data. The data end command is a command indicating the end of print data received from the host computer.

[0019] Next, follow the actual processing procedure, FIGS. 2 to 6
This embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 , when the power is turned on (S1), the CPU 14 clears the page memory 20 on the RAM 16 according to the program 20 of the ROM 15 and sets it to a blank state (S2). Then
The number of print copies 23 is set to 1 (S3). Further, 0 is set to the number of print pages 24 (S4). Further, the printer engine I / F 17 is initialized so that the print control of the printer engine 12 can be performed (S5). Also, the host I /
F18 is initialized so as to wait for print data from the host computer (S6). Further, the hard disk I / F 19 is initialized so that data read / write control of the hard disk 13 can be performed (S7). Next, host I /
The print data is received through F18, and the CPU 14
The analysis of the print data is repeated according to the program 20 of the OM 15 (S8).

Next, FIG. 3 the process of analyzing the print data
This will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, print data is received (S11).
This reception step does not occur multiple times during the print data analysis process described below, because the host I / F 18 controls the reception. Therefore, print data analysis processing is not performed in parallel.

Next, it is compared whether the print data is a print copy setting command (S12). If the print data is a print copy number setting command,
U14 stores the number of print copies in the number of print copies 23 in the RAM 16 (S13).

If the print data is not a print copy setting command, it is compared whether the print data is a drawing command for designating a character or graphic to be printed (S14). If the print data is a drawing command, the CPU 14 draws on the page memory 22 according to the drawing command (S15). Specifically, if the drawing command is a command for instructing drawing of a character, the drawing command includes a character code, and the CPU 14 refers to the font data 21 on the ROM 15 by the character code,
The shape of the character is developed in the page memory 22 as bitmap data. If the drawing command is a drawing command indicating a figure, the drawing command includes a parameter indicating the shape of the figure. The CPU 14 performs numerical calculation and develops the shape in the page memory 22 as bitmap data. This drawing command uses the PostSc conventionally used.
A command system such as “ript” may be used as it is. Further, in this case, drawing to the page memory 22 in accordance with the drawing command (S15) may be performed using the conventionally used PostScript interpreter or the like as it is.

If the print data is not a drawing command, whether or not the print data is a page end command is compared (S16). If the print data is a page end command, a page end process is performed. Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, C
The PU 14 converts the bitmap data stored in the page memory 22 on the RAM 16 into a printer engine I / F 17.
And print is executed by controlling the printer engine 12 (S21). Then, the hard disk I / F1
9 to store the bitmap data stored in the page memory 22 on the hard disk 13 (S2).
2). Further, the page memory 22 on the RAM 4 is cleared (S23), and 1 is added to the number of printed pages 24 (S2).
4). In this manner, the page memory 22 stores one page of video data.
Each time the bitmap data is written, the page memory 2
The bitmap data written to the printer engine 2
To the printer engine 12 for printing.
At the same time, one page written in the page memory 22
Writing bitmap data to the hard disk 13
The bitmap data for all pages is stored on the hard disk 13.
Start printing the first copy even if data writing is not completed
can do.

If the print data is not a page end command in S16 of FIG. 3 , it is compared whether the print data is a data end command (S1).
8). If the print data is a data end command, data end processing is performed (S19). Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, firstly, CPU
14 compares whether or not the number of print copies 23 on the RAM 16 is 1 (S41). If the number of print copies 23 is 1, the page memory 22 on the RAM 16 is cleared (S44), and the number of print pages 24 is set to 0 (S4).
5), end the data end processing. Also, the number of print copies 23
If is not 1, the bitmap data stored in the hard disk 13 is sequentially read from the first page to the last page in the page memory 22, and all pages are printed (S4).
2). Next, 1 is subtracted from the number of print copies 23 (S43), and the process returns to the step of comparing whether the number of print copies 23 is 1 (S41).

By repeating the loop of steps S41 to S43 until the number of print copies 23 becomes 1 in the step of S41, the printing of all pages is set to the value set to the number of print copies 23 at the time of receiving the end command minus one. Done. In addition, the 1 printed when the page end data was received
When combined with the number of copies, the specified number of copies has been printed. Therefore, the page memory 22 on the RAM 16 is cleared (S44), and the number of print pages 24 is set to 0 (S4).
5), end the data end processing.

Next, the control of all pages printed in S42 in FIG. 6, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be described in detail. First, the CPU 14 prints the print page 2 on the RAM 16.
5 is set to 1 (S31). Next, Hard Disk I
/ F19 is controlled to read the bitmap data of the first page from the hard disk 13 to the page memory 22 (S32). This is transferred to the printer engine I / F 17, and the printer engine 12 is controlled to execute printing (S33). Next, the number of print pages 25 and the number of print pages 24 are compared (S34). If they are not equal, 1 is added to the print page 25 (S35). Then, the process returns to the step of reading the bitmap data of the next page into the page memory 22 (S31). This, S32 ~
The loop of the step S35 is repeated until the print page 25 becomes equal to the print page number 24 in the step S34. Thus, printing of all pages is performed.

[0029] As described above, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 without adding a sorter, a first page 31 of the first portion
From the first page 34 of the second copy to the last page 36, and the printing is continued from the first page 34 to the last page 36 of the second copy, which can be performed until the last page 37 of the last copy.
A small printer can be provided. Furthermore, a large number of copies can be printed without being limited by the number of trays as in the case of using a sorter. Further, even when printing a plurality of copies, it is not necessary to transmit data for the number of copies from the host computer, and the use efficiency of the host computer can be improved. Further, by storing the bitmap data, it is not necessary to repeat the development of the drawing command at the time of printing the second copy and thereafter, and it is possible to print a plurality of copies at high speed.

In the above embodiment, the number of print copies is 23.
Is set by the print copy number setting command in the print data transferred from the host, the printer may be provided with an operation panel, and the number of print copies may be set from the panel. In this case, it is possible to print a plurality of copies without changing the host computer.

Before printing the first page of each copy from the first copy to the last copy, the CPU 14 controls the printer engine I / O.
The printer engine 12 may be controlled through F17 to discharge one blank sheet. As a result, a blank sheet is printed at the boundary between each set, such as between the last page of the first set and the first page of the second set, between the last page of the second set and the first page of the third set. Inserted. Therefore, the boundaries between the parts become clear.

Further, before printing the first page of each copy from the first copy to the last copy, the CPU 14 calculates the number of copies to be printed in accordance with the number of print copies 23 on the RAM 16 and calculates the numerical value. A character code string to be obtained is obtained, the font data 21 on the ROM 15 is referred to, the shape of the number string is developed as bitmap data in the page memory 22, transferred to the printer engine I / F 17, and the printer engine 12 is controlled. May be executed. As a result, the sheet printed with 1 is inserted before the first page of the printed first copy, and 2 is printed between the last page of the printed first copy and the first page of the second copy. A printed sheet is inserted, a sheet printed with 3 is inserted between the last page of the second copy and the first page of the third copy, and so on, at the boundary of each copy, and so on. The paper on which the number indicating the number of the set is printed is inserted. Therefore, it becomes clear in what order the printed sheet is included.

When recording the bitmap data expanded in the page memory 22 on the hard disk 13,
Data may be compressed using a well-known RunLength method, LZW method, or the like, and the data may be developed and printed at the time of printing the second and subsequent copies. In this case, compared to the capacity of the hard disk 13, it is possible to print a plurality of sorted sets of more pages. The hard disk 13 may be replaced with another external storage device. Further, by having a plurality of page memories 22 on the RAM 16 and using them in order, the second and subsequent copies may be printed without recording and reading on the hard disk 13 and the hard disk 13 may be omitted. Further, the page memory 22 may be provided with only one page, and the bitmap data may be compressed and recorded on the RAM 16 and then expanded and printed on the page memory 22 when printing the second and subsequent copies.

In the meantime, the means for giving and receiving the number of printed copies is described in the embodiment.
Corresponds to the number of prints 23 in the RAM 16 in. Claim
The communication means of the item is compatible with the host I / F 18 in the embodiment.
Hit. The first storage means of the present invention is characterized in that:
Corresponds to page memory 22 of AM16. Claim No.
2 The storage means corresponds to the hard disk 13 in the embodiment.
I will respond. The first writing unit of the claims is an embodiment.
The entire printer according to the program 20 in the ROM 15
Corresponds to the CPU 14 to be controlled, and the control is the processing of S15.
Corresponds to The second writing means of the present invention
Printer according to the program 20 of the ROM 15
It corresponds to the CPU 14 that controls the body, and the control is
Corresponds to processing. The printing means of the claims
Printer engine 13. First mark of claim
The printing control means is a program stored in the ROM 15 in the embodiment.
Corresponds to CPU 14 that controls the entire printer according to 20
The control corresponds to the processing of S21, S23, and S24.
You. The second print control unit of the present invention may be configured such that:
Control the whole printer according to the program 20 of OM15
Corresponding to the CPU 14 which performs the control in S42, S31 to S31.
Corresponds to the process in S35. The control means of the claims is implemented
In accordance with the program 20 of the ROM 15 in the example,
Corresponding to the CPU 14 for controlling the entire data,
Corresponds to the processing of 1 to S45.

[0035]

As is apparent from the above description , according to the first aspect of the present invention , the second writing means can
The print data for all pages received by the communication means
Writing bitmap data based on the second storage means
The bitmap data for all pages is stored in the second storage means.
Before the data is completely written to the first storage means.
When a predetermined amount of bitmap data is written,
(1) The printing control means controls the file written in the first storage means.
Transfer the map data to the printing means, and
Each time the page is printed by the printing unit,
Writing bitmap data for all pages in the second storage means
Without write is complete to begin printing of the first copy
it can. Further, the printing input to the printing copy number transfer means is performed.
When the copy number information is a plurality of copies, the second print control unit
Bitmap of all pages stored in the second storage means
Transfer the data to the printing unit in page order, and
The printing means is caused to print each time in the page order, and the first mark is printed.
Printing means by printing control means and second printing control means
Is the number of copies corresponding to the number of copies information
As described above, the control unit controls the second print control unit,
Since is printed on the printing means, give the number of copies information to print copies transfer means, to the communication means from the host computer print data of all the pages only transmitted once, as shown in FIG. 7, the first part Printing is performed in order from the first page to the last page, and then from the first page to the last page of the second copy, which can be continued for the number of prints indicated by the number of prints information .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first
A predetermined amount of bitmap data is written to the storage unit
Each time, the first print control means writes to the first storage means.
Transfers the written bitmap data to printing means,
Printing means for printing, and the second writing means
Is a predetermined amount of bitmap data written in the first storage means.
Since the backup data is written to the second storage means,
2 Write bitmap data for all pages to storage means
You can start printing the first copy even if the
Wear.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined
Since the amount is one page, one page is stored in the first storage means.
Each time the bitmap data for the
(1) The printing control means controls the file written in the first storage means.
Transfer to the printing means,
Means to print one page, so that the second storage means
Writing of bitmap data for the page is not completed
Thus, the printing of the first copy can be started.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the overall processing of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing for print data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for a page end command according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of printing all pages according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for a data end command according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a printing result of the printer according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Printer Controller 12 Printer Engine 13 Hard Disk 14 CPU 15 ROM 16 RAM 17 Printer Engine I / F 18 Host I / F 19 Hard Disk I / F 20 Program 21 Font Data 22 Page Memory 23 Number of Copies 24 Number of Printed Pages 25 Printed Pages

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-125169 (JP, A) JP-A-5-284306 (JP, A) JP-A-5-238114 (JP, A) JP-A-5-238114 212941 (JP, A) JP-A-64-53849 (JP, A) JP-A-62-45268 (JP, A) JP-A-62-159569 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/20 B41J 5/30 B41J 29/38 G06F 3/12

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A print copy receiving / receiving means for receiving print copy information, a communication means for receiving print data from a host computer, and a bit map data based on the print data.
1 storage means and bitmap data based on print data for all pages
And a bit based on the print data received by the communication unit.
First writing for writing map data to the first storage means
And the print data for all pages received by the communication means.
Writing bitmap data based on the second storage means
Second writing means, printing means for printing on paper based on the bitmap data, and bitmap data for all pages in the second storage means.
Before writing is completed, a predetermined value is stored in the first storage means.
When the amount of bitmap data is written,
1 The bitmap data written in the storage means
Transfer to each column and print each page once in the page order
A first print control unit for causing the printing unit to print, and a plurality of pieces of printing copy information input to the printing copy transfer unit.
In the case of the number of copies, all pages stored in the second storage means
Transfer the bitmap data of
And print each page once on the printing means in page order
A second print control unit for causing the first print control unit and the second print control unit to
The number of copies printed by the printing unit corresponds to the number of copies to be printed.
And a control means for controlling the second print control means so that the number of copies becomes equal. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined amount of bit map is stored in said first storage means.
Every time the print data is written,
Is the bitmap data written in the first storage means.
When the data is transferred to the printing means and printed by the printing means,
The second writing means writes the data to the first storage means.
Before a predetermined amount of bitmap data written Symbol second storage Hand
2. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein writing is performed in a column . 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined amount is one page.
The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein